Commenting on the Government’s new amendments to the Environment
Bill relating to storm overflows, Environmental Audit Committee
Chairman, Rt Hon MP, said:
"I welcome the latest Government amendments to the Environment
Bill on storm overflows. These provisions could be a large step
forward, building on some of the measures proposed in my Private
Members Bill last year, to improve transparency, biodiversity and
water quality. During the Committee's inquiry into water quality,
we have heard horror stories of unreported discharges into rivers
from waste water treatment works. This requirement on sewerage
companies to monitor continuously and report in near real time on
water quality upstream and downstream, can help to identify
problem areas much more quickly.
"There must be no excuse for illegal sewage spills. Another
welcome amendment helps prepare the ground for eliminating
overflows entirely. Water companies have a responsibility to
protect our precious waterways that are so often plagued with
unacceptable pollution threatening wildlife and human health. The
amendments today may also increase protections for recreational
water users: properly implemented, EDM real time data can make it
possible for people to see whether it is safe to swim.
"The Committee's inquiry continues, and we expect to examine the
Government's proposals in greater detail when we question the
DEFRA Minister responsible in September."
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